LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters) – Climate talks in Doha last week
highlighted the weakness of carbon targets as a tool to limit
climate change while a lack of international financial and
political support may equally undermine an alternative,
technology-led approach.

The talks achieved no new targets to cap emissions, which
was no surprise given the complexity of agreeing responsibility
for climate action between countries and chiefly between China
and the United States.

LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) – Subsidised renewable energy cuts
peak power prices, but is also unreliable, and in most countries
the cost of balancing its intermittency is borne by dispatchable
(available on demand) fossil fuel and nuclear power.

Dispatchable power providers are pressing claims for
subsidies to provide this backup, which would not only keep the
lights on but also stop power prices spiking out of control
every time they have to step in when wind or solar fails, as can
be the case.

LONDON, Nov 27 (Reuters) – A shift towards renewable power
in Germany is seeing ownership of generating assets move to
households, farmers and small businesses, away from utilities
which are losing out on the advantages of wind and solar in a
continuing trend.

European utilities are suffering from weak power demand and
falling wholesale prices.

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) – The European Union’s executive
Commission has spelled out clearer opposition to state
intervention in domestic electricity markets even as countries
including Britain, Germany and France propose capacity markets.

A decision over how and whether to intervene in power
markets is central to how the EU manages more intermittent
renewable power, retires ageing coal and nuclear fleets, avoids
blackouts and limits hikes in retail bills, all at the same
time.

LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) – Helping households switch fuel
supplier is a major but one-off measure to save European
consumers money where grid upgrades and renewable energy will
inevitably lead to rising bills.

Politicians are fond of painting utilities as the villains
of higher retail prices.

LONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) – After a renewed crisis, the
European Union is embarking on a marathon reform of its carbon
market for rather small gains, and may find more success by
focusing on its next trading cycle after 2020.

The market, which has all but collapsed for the second time
in its brief existence, accounts for half the bloc’s greenhouse
gas emissions and is the main tool for meeting climate change
targets.

LONDON (Reuters) – The European Commission’s retreat from forcing airlines to pay for carbon emissions when flying in or out of the bloc puts huge faith in action by the U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The decision also brings risks of litigation by European operators.

It made sense to look for a compromise after China and India said they would not comply with a European Union emissions trading scheme (EU ETS).

LONDON, Nov 12 (Reuters) – The European Commission’s retreat
from forcing airlines to pay for carbon emissions when flying in
or out of the bloc puts huge faith in action by the U.N.’s
International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The decision also brings risks of litigation by European
operators.

It made sense to look for a compromise after China and India
said they would not comply with a European Union emissions
trading scheme (EU ETS).

About Gerard

"Based in London, for four years I have helped coordinate Reuters global coverage of green business and environmental markets. I focus on policies and investment related to renewable energy, carbon markets, energy efficiency and emerging clean technologies including electric cars. I also cover UN climate negotiations, biodiversity, land use and climate science. Previously I covered distressed M&A and credit markets on the corporate finance desk."